Stealth work van project
 

So here's my new project. I'll be using this van for work, but wanted a passenger van to start with because i don't want it to look like a work van. In new york, commercial vehicles are not allowed on "parkways" which makes travel difficult.
Anyway, its a 2005 Express 3500 155" wheelbase. It has it's share of bumps and bruises, but she'll clean up.

Attachment 10536

I thought the large mass of blue was kind of dead looking, and needed to be brightened up, and was in dire need of a bumper, so I scored a chrome bumper, grille, and composite headlamps

Attachment 10537

The interior was base trim level, and the seat was trashed. I also found that driving longer distances was uncomfortable without a right side armrest.

Attachment 10538

With upper trim used van parts in short supply, I swapped in a set of Astrovan seats. I got velour, the armrest, and lumbar in the deal.

Attachment 10539

The steering wheel equally as worn, and the foam starting to separate from the rim.

Attachment 10540

So that gave way to a leather wrapped Silverado wheel.

Attachment 10541

And the Pro Clip phone mount. ( best angle I could get with the lighting)

Attachment 10542

That's it for now. Updates as they come.

looks good. Were the seats direct bolt in or did you have to modify something.

No mods at all. They bolted to the express van bases.

Looks great, and very smart!

Thanks!
I'm not very far from you. I'm in Rockland county.:D

Neat idea, especially with the regulations where you live. I almost bought a passenger van to convert so I'd have all the options and it would be a "sleeper" in a sense. But then for me, I just decided I wanted no windows at all for security and the "blend in" look. My van is hard to identify as it looks like every other white cargo van.

I suppose you are lucky, I was going to go much newer. On the newer vans there are airbags in the back for the rear passengers. This was causing me a little mental anguish if I went the passenger route. In some ways I wish I went the route you have, but I am happy with what I've done.

Do you plan on covering the windows from the inside? I was going to plywood over the whole walls so that someone could not break a window and gain access.

I literally just walked in from tinting the side windows even darker than from factory. This doesn't keep prying eyes from seeing whats inside, but I will be installing full length contractor shelving units. Once bolted in, it will prevent forced entry through the side glass. As for the rear and side door glass, i will install steel mesh security screens.

is the steering wheel from about the same year Silverado? Mine is pretty crappy too, but I just put a cover on.

Yes it was.

I have the limousine tint on mine, and you can't see inside even if its dark and the interior lights are on. Security wise it makes no diff to have no windows.....you still have 3 up front. Also, no window vans are a bitch to park and back up. I will never have another windowless cargo van.....
I put a small 2 inch tach in that space just under the tow haul switch. It really p's me off that the vans don't have a tach.....serioulsly gm?
What happened to the power mirror switch? Did it fall inside the door?